Posted on 11/11/2010 12:31:48 AM PST by ConservativeTeacherInTraining
We, Conservative Citizens of the state of Texas, are in a fight to keep a corrupt, powerhouse RINO from keeping the Speaker of the House position in our Texas House of Representatives. After the election of November 2, 2010, the Texas State House of Representatives has the largest Republican majority since Reconstruction. Also, the majority of the ones elected are Conservative, representing Conservative districts.
The current Speaker is Joe Straus. His supporters are trying to re-invent his image to portray him as a Reagan social and fiscal Conservative. This man is anything but. His voting record speaks for itself:
Rep. Joe Straus OPPOSED:
•Using statistically-proven methods to strengthen marriage and reduce divorce by encouraging pre-marital counseling (HB 2685, votes 384, 437, and 1407, 2007)
•Parental rights, opposing a bill to let parents know the service-referrals that school counselors are making for their children (HB 2136, ...vote 592, 2007)
•School choice (HB 1, vote 235, 2007)
Joe Straus SUPPORTED:
•Making it easier to perform late-term, third-trimester abortions (SB 419, vote 672, 2005). And in the 2007 session, he received a 100 percent voting record from the radical pro-abortion group NARAL, and the pro-abortion group Planned Parenthood contributed to his reelection campaign.
•Homosexuals as foster parents (SB 6, vote 327, 2005)
•Expanded casino gambling (HB 10, vote 939, 2007)
•Increased gaming and gambling (HB 2265, vote 749, 2007)
•Increased sale and consumption of alcohol during Sunday morning church hours (HB 168, vote 357, 2005)
•Making it easier to sell alcohol without community approval, as is currently required (SB 1626, vote 852, 2005)
•Increasing state budget spending by an amazing 19 percent over only two years (SB 1, vote 946, 2005)
If this isn’t enough, he has also coerced, bribed, blackmailed and outright threatened fellow party Representatives into voting for him for Speaker or have their district redrawn to favor the Democrat in the next election. Representative Bryan Hughes pulled his support for Speaker Straus because of this outrageous attempt at such vulgar coercion, and he released a public statement:
“Today after much prayer and counsel, I formally withdraw my support for Speaker Joe Straus. I do this with no malice toward the Speaker or any other member.
Over the past several days I have heard from an increasing number of my constituents and supporters. Their unanimous voice has called for me to withdraw my support of Speaker Straus.
My decision, though not a light one, was made clearer after a phone call I received over the weekend from a member of Speaker Straus’s leadership team. This member brought up the subject of redistricting and explained to me how that process would be used to punish those members not on Speaker Straus’s list of supporters.
More specifically, this member told me that maps were already being drawn to get rid of Representative-Elect Erwin Cain (R-Sulphur Springs) and Representative Dan Flynn (R-Van), because they were not on the Speaker’s list of supporters.
I was then told that I had nothing to worry about in redistricting, so long as I stayed on the Speaker’s list.
This conversation first saddened and then disgusted me.
Using the redistricting process for retribution reminds us of all that is wrong with politics. The Speaker’s race should be decided not based on threats of punishment and not on promises of power, but on principle.
The people of Texas have chosen us to speak for them. As we prepare to cast our first vote on their behalf, we should lay aside our ambition for powerful committees, stand against the threats, and support the Speaker candidate who best represents our conservative principles." (http://www.navigator-news.com/component/content/article/6-politics/67-one-more-texas-rep-says-not-so-fast-joe-straus)
Joe Straus and his staff are guilty of bribery, blackmail, coercion, and flat out threats of political repercussions if representatives don’t vote for him for speaker, as stated clearly in TX election code cited here: Government Code section 302.032(1), section 302.032(2), and section 302.033. Punishment for violating these is 2 to 5 years in prison. Another violation in play is Bribery Penal Code 36.02, which is a second-degree felony.
Also, Texas is the only state where the minority party is allowed to vote for Speaker of the House. This means that he holds 51 minority Democrat votes in his hip pocket, and in order for him to be stopped, 76 Republicans have to vote against him, instead of just 50, if only the majority party were allowed to vote.
This is urgent. We need national attention brought to this so that the speaker of the Texas house reflects the huge and historic 99 of 150 seat republican majority in the Texas house; the largest majority of any party in Texas since Reconstruction. Not only has Straus broken several laws, he does not come close to representing that Republican majority that WE THE PEOPLE of Texas elected Tuesday November 2.
PLEASE GO TO THESE FACEBOOK PAGES BELOW AND “LIKE” THEM AND PASS THEM ON. PLEASE CALL, FAX, EMAIL, OR MAIL THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL GREG ABBOTT, AND THE TRAVIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY, AND INSIST THAT THEY FILE CHARGES BASED ON THE LAWS CITED ABOVE, COVERING BRIBERY, BLACKMAIL, COERCION, AND OUTRIGHT THREATS. THIS POWER-HUNGRY LIBERAL RINO MUST BE STOPPED.
3 facebook links:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Texas-Tea-Party-Alert-Network/170576062968793
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oust-Joe-Straus/131120870275669
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Conservative-for-Texas-House-Speaker/143374362376315
AG Greg Abbott: #(512) 463-2100 / FAX: (512) 475-2994 / Email: greg.abbott[@]oag.state.tx.us / MAIL: Office of the Attorney General PO Box 12548 Austin, TX 78711-2548
Travis County DA Rosemary Lehmberg: #(512) 854-9400 / FAX: (512) 854-9695 / MAIL: P.O. BOX 1748 Austin, TX 78767
Time for RiNO Straus to go as Speaker. The job is just too consequential to be left in the care of someone who doesn't care about social issues.
>>> Texas state Speaker of the House Coercing Fellow Party Members
That’s in the job description. Except they call it schmoozing, button-holing, arm twisting, and interfacing.
..... he also tried to neuter and strip the strong Republican conservatives on the Texas Board of Education, apparently at the behest of the national Democrats and NGO's like People for the American Way.
Their offense: standing up to left-wing textbook authors and publishers, who were pushing anti-American and NWO pap in their books.
Sounds like Joe Straus should be in Jail not the Texas State house.
I wonder how they could go about putting this criminal RINO where he belongs, behind bars...
How did he get to be Speaker? I understand the Texas legislature is mostly conservative.
“How did he get to be Speaker? I understand the Texas legislature is mostly conservative.”
I was wondering that my self so I just looked it up:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Straus#Challenge_against_Tom_Craddick
Apparently there were some back-room deals involved with 11 Texas republicans seemingly conspiring with the democrats.
11 Texas republicans seemingly conspiring with the democrats.
Conspiring with anyone, much less the cream of conspirators, is not wise, or intelligent, and now it’s show time.
[11 Texas republicans seemingly conspiring with the democrats.]
This is why so many conservatives hate the republican liberals so much and for very good reason. Who represents conservatives is my question.
The following is a press release from Representative Warren Chisum.
“REPRESENTATIVE WARREN CHISUM
Candidate for Speaker of the Texas House
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chisum to Straus: “Let our people go.”
Today Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, candidate for Speaker of the House, called on his
opponent, incumbent Speaker Joe Straus III, R-San Antonio, to immediately release all
members from so-called “pledge cards.”
Chisum noted, “Some Republican members of the House accepted huge campaign donations
from Speaker Straus. The Speaker had them agree to sign ‘pledge cards’ to vote to reelect him
as Speaker. That exchange has the unfortunate effect of creating the perception — just a
perception, mind you — that leaves members trading votes for campaign donations. Personally,
I don’t think the members did that. But there is no denying the perception is there. “
Chisum called on Straus to protect the members. “It seems to me the Speaker should forget
about gathering up all these so-called ‘pledge cards.’ What Mr. Straus should be doing is first
and foremost protecting the members of the House from any perceived stain on their integrity.
He can and should release every member from any so-called ‘pledge’ and nip this perception
problem in the bud. Republican to Republican, I have to ask the Speaker to ‘Let our people
go.’”
Chisum outlined his vision for Speaker: “First, I am taking a very different approach to running
for Speaker. I am talking to each member, one on one, and simply making a case for why I
would be, this year, the best choice for Speaker.”
Chisum insisted on No More “Business as Usual”: “No more wink and a nod about committee
assignments, no threats and no promises of campaign cash, and no one is going to be in the
doghouse if they wait till the last minute or vote against me. I think this is a new era in Texas
politics, and I am willing to take my case directly to my fellow Republicans in the House.”
Chisum called for a Republican Caucus: “We should caucus together and come out united
behind one conservative Republican candidate for Speaker. Then in January we will have a
vote of the whole House of Representatives.”
Three priorities for Speaker, Chisum outlined his philosophy: “Number one: Keep our promises
to the conservative voters of Texas who just elected the largest Republican majority in history.
Number two: Protect the integrity of the House of Representatives as an institution. That means
an open process, fairness to all members, supporters and opponents alike, Democrat and
Republican. If I am Speaker, I will expect each member to vote their own conscience and
district. Number three: Protect the integrity of the members. It is not leadership to sacrifice your
members for your own political agenda. My opponent, Mr. Straus, must take action to
erase any perception that he has traded campaign cash for votes. That perception will taint the
reputation of every Republican member of the House if nothing is done. Again, I ask that Mr.
Straus let our people go, release the pledges.”
Not Printed at State Expense
Chisum concluded, “It is a new day in Texas, and all across America. The people are watching
as never before, and the people will hold us accountable. And that is a good thing. As the next
Speaker of the House, I will promote a principled, free market, conservative and honest agenda
strictly following our constitution. I would appreciate your prayers for me and for each member
of the House.”
For more information see Warren Chisum on Facebook
Contact: (512) 463-0736 “
After reading about Straus this man is a gem in comparison.
Only problem is I think this guy is tied to the Old Boy Clique that was in power before.
Not really as conservative as you think. Texas is an overwhelmingly Republican state (there are no elective positions held by democrats that are voted for on a state-wide basis). All the 'smart' democrats changed to the Republican party (like our current gov, who used to work for AlGore). You can't really tell much about a Texas legislooter by looking at party affiliation.
One of the things he’s doing is abusing House rules to allow the Democrat minority to vote for Republican Speaker. NONE of the other 49 states House bodies allow this to happen. He’s also big talking caucus votes for Speaker, yet using his power as Speaker to BLOCK caucus voting, so the 51 remaining Democrat votes are in his hip pocket. Why wouldn’t they be? He’s just like a typical lib Democrat, of course all 51 of them don’t mind him for speaker while they’re the minority.
Straus is FILTHY with gambling and alcahol special interests money, and is a third trimester abortion supporter AND has supported having homosexuals as foster parents. Now threatening House Republicans in the MAJORITY with redistricting their districts to Democrat districts if they do NOT support him for Speaker. That kind of blackmail and coercion violates SEVERAL Texas laws. He’s an absolute criminal. NEED people to call the numbers below and State Reps and go to the links above. Texas has the biggest majority in 140 years and this Speaker is abusing his power to block the vote of the people of Texas.
Thank you! We desperately need Straus OUT of the House and IN to the BIG HOUSE!
Yes Wita that is the RINO block trying to block the will of the people of Texas who elected 99 Republicans of 150 House Representatives in the Texas House, the biggest majority any party has had since Reconstruction. This is totally unacceptable. The massive conservative vote on election day was NOT for MODERATES or RINOS. Straus has to go. We need Freepers to call the Texas AG and Travis County DA and go to thesee Facebook pages and get as many Texans involved as possible.
This is so beyond arm twisting. IT’s literally breaking Texas laws:
Joe Straus and his staff are guilty of bribery, blackmail, coercion, and flat out threats of political repercussions if representatives don’t vote for him for speaker, as stated clearly in TX election code cited here: Government Code section 302.032(1), section 302.032(2), and section 302.033. Punishment for violating these is 2 to 5 years in prison. Another violation in play is Bribery Penal Code 36.02, which is a second-degree felony.
Straus and his staff need to be charged with breaking these laws. State Reps are on the record stating this happened.
Thank you both. Chisum is a Marine Combat Vet and has served Texas four times longer than Joe Straus. Straus has only served two full terms and got the seat in a one year team from a special election five years ago. He only got the seat because of special interest groups, now breaking the law to keep power against a large strong Republican Majority. Totally unacceptable.
The GOP Caucus in Texas is a lot more conservative than a few years ago. The Tea Party has been fantastic at vetting RINOS and Republicans that are just Democrats who changed to keep seats, and replaced a lot of them this election. And it’s just the first stage. The RINOs are not nearly as powerful as they were because of the message this election. Voters aren’t wanting moderate RINOS, they’re wanting conservatives. RINOs and former Democrats know this that’s why they’re scared and actually breaking laws to keep power. The People of Texas are a very distant second to their lust for power and keeping what they have and getting more.
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